91998E2584

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2584/98

by Karin Riis-Jørgensen (ELDR) to the Commission

(29 July 1998)

Subject: EU banana arrangements

Has the USA indicated whether in its view the measures adopted by the Agriculture Ministers to counter the WTO decision meet the requirements of the WTO decision?

How can the EU banana arrangements be reconciled with the Commission's desire for free and liberal world trade without trade restrictions, and is there not a danger that third countries can use the EU banana arrangements as an object lesson/excuse for maintaining protectionist measures on their domestic markets?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(16 September 1998)

The United States have given some indication that it has some doubts about whether the revision of the common organisation of the market in bananas will necessarily meet World trade organisation (WTO) requirements.

The Commission believes that the revised banana regime is fully compatible with the legal requirements of the WTO and the provisions of the IVth Lomé Convention.